How to Clean the Electrolux Washing Machine Filter

Electrolux recommends cleaning the washer filter once a month to prevent blockages and ensure the best washer performance. Finding lint or detergent residue on your clothes, clothes coming out damper than usual, and the washer having drainage issues are also good reasons to clean the filter.

This guide applies to most Electrolux front-load washers, including the following models: 

EIFLS55IIW0, EIFLS55IMB0, EIFLS55IRR0, EIFLS60JIW0, EIFLS60JIW1, EIFLS60LSS0, EIFLS60LT0, EIFLS60LT1, EIFLW50LIW1, EIFLW55HIW0, EIFLW55HMB0, EIFLW55IRR0, EWFLS70JIW0, EWFLS70JSS0, EWFLW65HIW0, EWFLW65HTS0, SATF7000FS0, STF7000FS0.

Where is the filter?

The filter on an Electrolux front-load washer is located on the lower front panel of the washer, typically at the bottom, close to the floor. The filter is behind an access panel that can be opened with your fingers or a flat-edge screwdriver or coin.

If you’re unable to locate the filter, consult the owner’s manual.

How to remove the filter

Before removing and cleaning the filter, the washer should be turned off and disconnected from the power.

Next, put a towel or shallow pan down to collect the water that comes out when the filter is removed.

Different models

Electrolux front-load washers have different types of filters depending on the model. However, the removal method is the same: drain the water, then remove the filter.

If your washer model has a drain plug next to the filter, detach the drain plug and allow the water to spill out. Once the water has drained, remove the filter by turning it counterclockwise. When the filter unlocks, pull it out to remove it.

If your model does not have a drain plug next to the filter, it may have a spout on the filter that can be pulled down to allow water to drain from the washer. Once the water has drained, turn the filter counterclockwise and pull it out to remove it.

If you have an older Electrolux model, you’ll likely see a drain hose with a plug on it close to where the filter is located. Pull the hose out, remove the plug, and allow the water to drain. After the water has drained, you can remove the filter by turning it counterclockwise.

How to clean the filter

Depending on the last time it was cleaned, or how often the washer is used, you might be surprised by what you find. Common items include buttons, coins, hairpins, lint, detergent residue, and pet hair.

Once you’ve removed the filter, wash it under running hot water. Use a toothbrush, dish brush, or dishcloth to remove debris from the filter. If the filter is hard to clean, soak it in hot water and dish soap for 10 minutes before cleaning it with a brush or cloth.

If you find stuck-on detergent residue, mold, or mildew, clean and soak the filter in distilled white vinegar. After soaking the filter in vinegar for 20 minutes, the residue, mold, or mildew should come off more easily.

When the filter is clean, wipe it down with a paper towel or cloth and return it to the washer.

Clean the filter housing

Before replacing the filter, make sure the filter housing is clean. A damp cloth with some dish soap or white vinegar should do the job.

Before starting the washer

• If you removed a drain plug, make sure to put it back.
• Make sure the filter has locked into place. (Slide the filter in and turn it clockwise until it locks.)
• Close the access panel.
• Prime the pump. Pour two liters of water into the detergent dispenser drawer. The water you drained from the washer needs to be replaced to prevent pump damage the next time you use the washer.

After completing the above steps, you can reconnect the power to the washer.

What about the rest of the washer?

Like the filter, the washer tub also needs to be cleaned regularly. If you don’t clean the washer, the dust, dirt, detergent residue, minerals, and chemicals from the detergent can create a thin film that traps bacteria.

Aside from the obvious hygiene issue, the bacteria can make the washer smell and hinder the washer’s performance.

How often should you clean the washer tub?

How often you should clean the tub depends on how often the washer is used. This can be a personal preference. Recommendations range from once a month to once a year.

It may help to get into a habit of cleaning the tub and the filter once a month.

How to clean the tub

The washer tub or drum can be cleaned with white vinegar or a washer cleaning product bought from a grocery store or online.

If you have an Electrolux washer with a dedicated self-cleaning cycle, follow the instructions in the user manual to run the cycle.

Follow these steps to clean a washer with white vinegar:

1. Pour some white vinegar into a spray bottle.
2. Spray vinegar everywhere inside the washer tub. Make sure to spray the door gasket as this is where a lot of bacteria grows.
3. Let the vinegar sit for a while. (You can use this time to go clean the washer filter.)
4. Rinse a cloth in hot water and wipe down the washer tub and washer gasket.
5. Open the detergent drawer and fill it with white vinegar.
6. Start a long hot cycle.

After the cycle is complete, all detergent residue and bacteria should have been removed. Running a cycle with vinegar should also have removed any potential clogs from the drain hose or pump.